Buffalo Bills News - July 25, 2001

Kris Farris moves ahead of Robert Hicks according to Don Banks of SI [12:56 PM]CNN/SI reports:
The Bills believe they've almost picked up a free draft pick in Farris, a former 3rd rounder of Pittsburgh in 1999 who was out all last season with a left foot stress fracture. The 1998 Outland Trophy winner from UCLA, Farris signed in April and after some fine minicamp showings has moved ahead of incumbent right tackle Robert Hicks.

Both were scheduled to sign their respective deals when rookies and selected veterans were to report to training camp later in the day.

Catchin\' up with Kwame [12:02 PM]Daily Texan reports:
As a rookie in 2000, he saw a small amount of playing time, finishing with three receptions on the year, but he did have one very important task.

\"I was the chicken man,\" Cavil said. \"Before games I had to go to KFC and get the chicken for the team. That was my job.\"

Bills' wives team up to fight hunger [9:03 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'During the Sept. 30 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the women will collect money and nonperishable food items at the gates of the stadium. Each person who donates will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to slap each of the team's players high-five on the field at the next home game.'

Bills expect the hits to keep on coming [8:55 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"So to be able to battle through the physical part of a ballgame, there will be times during training camp this year that we're going to have to have physical periods to see how they respond to the extreme physical nature of the game."'

Face lift [9:09 AM]Buffalo News reports:
\\\'The big question going into training camp is not so much will this new defense work as much as who will make it work.\\\'

Bills shuffle roster before camp [9:08 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills also added a contender in their wide-open race for the punting job by signing Brian Moorman, who led NFL Europe in punting the past two seasons.'

2nd round pick Travis Henry's agent says he's struck a deal with the Bills [7:56 AM]WKBW reports:
There are only two draft picks left to be signed by the Buffalo Bills. The agent for second round pick Travis Henry says he's struck a deal with the Bills...a four year contract for the Tennessee running back. Henry will be in camp Wednesday. The Bills still have their top two picks unsigned...Nate Clements and Aaron Show-Bull.

Ex-Bills' LB Holecek pays a visit [6:37 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'Holecek, who started 51 of 58 games for the Bills over the past four seasons and played under Jets new defensive boss Ted Cottrell, was released recently in a salary-cap move. Cottrell has been pushing for the club to sign him.'

Jets Talking to Linebacker Holecek [6:32 AM]New York Times reports:
'"He's a three-year starter in the league, and obviously he'd like to be a starter," Jets General Manager Terry Bradway said. "But he feels very comfortable with Teddy Cottrell, and he had a good visit. He's like a college recruit right now."'

Jets Join Line For 'Backer [5:47 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'Holecek, 29, released two weeks ago, is one of the top free agents on the market. He already has visited the Patriots, with the Packers still on his itinerary. The Chargers are also believed to be interested.'

NFL Europe punter in camp with Bills [5:34 AM]D and C reports:
'Punter Brian Moorman will be a player to watch at camp this week at St. John Fisher College as he competes for the starting job left vacated by the release of veteran Chris Mohr.'

Bills sign five, release two [3:19 PM]AP reports:
'Pete Gonzalez appeared to have the inside track to assume the role of Buffalo Bills No. 3 quarterback after the Bills on Monday released free agent Tim Hasselbeck.'

Mid-summer thoughts on the Bills [1:34 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'Chances are good that at least seven games will sell out this season, thanks to rivalries and marketing.'

Bills' rookies reporting on Wednesday [9:02 AM] reports:
'The Buffalo Bills will open training camp in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford for the second straight year when rookies and selected veterans report on Wednesday.'

Bills' new offense aims to get off to a running start [9:00 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Take away quarterback scrambles and wide receiver reverses, and the Bills' running backs averaged a paltry 3.5 yards per carry in an offense that was inconsistent, predictable and lacked an identity.'

July 22, 2001

The Taskmaster [9:09 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Williams' rise to Bills head coach is the story of a super-achiever who plotted each step on his path up the coaching ladder and went after his goals with a work ethic and maniacal organizational style that left colleagues in awe.'

Rebuilding job to keep Gray busy in Buffalo [6:25 AM]Houston Chronicle reports:
'But Williams and Gray aren't asking for sympathy. After the hardships they experienced in moving from Houston to Tennessee and still getting the promotions they longed for, they know no football obstacle is too difficult to overcome.'

Bills begin camping here this week [6:10 AM]D and C reports:
'"But we don't have staff meetings where we say, 'We've got to beat last year's numbers,' " says Russ Brandon, Bills vice president of business development and marketing. "We just want to provide a great family environment, one kids can remember throughout the winter."'

New-look Bills promise effort, but will need time to grow [6:09 AM]D and C reports:
'With so much going on, it would be unrealistic to expect immediate success from these new-look Bills. New jeans and sneakers take time to break in. Still, nobody on the Bills is crying "Wait for 2002."'

Donahoe rebuilding Bills with steely work ethic [6:08 AM]D and C reports:
'Entrusted by owner Ralph Wilson to make sure these Bills aren't counterfeit like last year's stumblin', bumblin' 8-8 crew, Donahoe's game plan may ultimately determine the long-term future of the franchise in these parts. History suggests he is up for the challenge.'

Williams stresses discipline, basics [6:07 AM]D and C reports:
'"It's not close," says the married father of three children, ages 16, 11 and 9. "The Buffalo Bills are a distant second in my life. My family is the most important thing to me and I would've turned this job down if I didn't think (western New York) was a good place to raise kids.'

Johnson waits to thrive in West Coast offense [6:06 AM]D and C reports:
'"There were things as I watched on film of last year, structure-wise, that didn't give (Rob) answers back in the pocket, and he took the heat on some of those sacks," Williams said. "That is the beauty of this system . . . it challenges defenses to cover every zone or every receiver every time the ball is snapped. So he will have answers this year."'

Camp success extends into community [6:05 AM]D and C reports:
'Fisher has 500 freshmen enrolled for the upcoming school year, 100 more than the previous high. Rooney stresses that the Bills camp was not the only factor in the increase, but he believes that the camp helped to promote the school to some students. They came to see the Bills; they saw the campus; they applied.'

July 21, 2001

Titans add RB depth with Linton [1:25 PM]Murfreesboro Daily News Journal reports:
'"He thinks he is a running back ... and you're looking for a guy who, if he comes in, you don't really have to change what you do," general manager Floyd Reese said. "But I'm not sure he's not a better blocker than he is a runner."'